Quercus ilex - holm oak - 5 Seeds

Genus of about 600 species of monoecious, semi-deciduous or evergreen trees and shrubs, widely distributed in forests and scrubland of the northern hemisphere. Quercus ilex is an evergreen tree, up to 20 meters tall, with an imposing appearance and a globose and spreading crown. Erect and robust trunk, soon divided into large branches, with dark brown-blackish bark, broken into small angular scales. The leaves are extremely variable, lanceolate or elliptical, dark green in color, shiny on the upper surface, white tormentose on the lower one with an entire or toothed margin, with a thorny margin in young plants such as holly from which it takes its botanical name.

Pedoclimatic requirements

The holm oak is a typical element of the Mediterranean woods and scrub but it reaches arid woods up to 1000-1800 meters above sea level. It adapts to all types of soil as long as they are well drained and without stagnation, preferring deep ones although it can colonize arid, stony and superficial substrates. Young plants prefer partial shade, adapting well to full sun. It tolerates heat, drought, wind and saltiness. Young plants benefit from regular irrigation during the summer. A moderately rustic species, it resists the cold and not too intense and prolonged frosts (-12°/-14°c), but fears heavy snowfalls that cause the breakage of branches and limbs. The holm oak is widely used as an ornamental plant for avenues and gardens. It adapts to the creation of topiary or free hedges and is very suitable for pruning of square, cylindrical crowns etc.

Sowing

From autumn to early winter. The seeds are recalcitrant, cannot be stored for long and quickly lose germination. They should be sown immediately after receiving them.

Botanical Information

Botanical Name: Quercus ilex

Family: Fagaceae